2012 Graduates :: Part Three

The third and final installment of celebrating the seniors is here! And its Friday (which, ironically, is the last day of school for some of them!)!  BOTH are definitely worth celebrating.

If you'd like a little background, check out part one of this three-part installment and definitely check out the gorgeous girls featured on part two.

"It is so easy to waste our lives: our days, our hours, our minutes. ... It is so easy to exist instead of live."

Go, Graduates! And live GREAT lives!

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Today's blog features a few of my personal favorites shot from my sessions with Sarah and Danielle.

Sarah, you are gorgeous.  Your eyes literally sparkle: with beauty, enthusiasm, and an energy and determination to succeed.  I loved our session (...and those shoes!), and I'm so proud to say that we shared time at the same high-school.  :)











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Danielle, our session was so much fun! I loved how you planned our locations to fit y-o-u.  And you, my dear, are beautiful.  I love how you can rock the country AND the city!  That just goes to show you that you'll do well with whatever you choose to do in the future.  Stay wonderful, girl!













I've got a to-do list THIIIIIIIIS long before my sweet husband gets home and takes me on a date! Now, THAT'S living. ;P

Happy Weekend, my friends!

2012 Graduates :: Part Two

If you didn't catch part one of my honoring the graduates I had the immense pleasure of working with, you should probably check that out before you proceed (lots of embarrassing tid-bits about me in high-school).

But I will re-iterate this:  So, my dear Graduates: fantastic job on all you've conquered and look forward to having the best time with all that's to come! :)


This blog highlights some of the best moments I had with Madi and Beth.

Madi, you're radiant.  You shine in just about everything you do: be it athletics, academics, and of course, modeling for my camera.  I have no doubt your future is brimming with possibilities!  I loved our two sessions together -- stay fabulous, girl!

















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Beth, to be honest, you remind me of Beth and Jo from Little Women (she was one of my favorite characters!).  You have this temperament of quiet strength and a heart that is overflowing with love for others.  Yet, you possess a fierce desire to succeed.  You are very special, and I cannot wait for the world to experience the beauty of your heart and all that you will contribute to the world!













Stay tuned next week for the final installment of 2012 Graduates!  :)

2012 Graduates :: Part One

Graduation is soon approaching (Glee Twitter told me so: "As we go on, we remember all the times we had together"), and it is important to me to highlight the seniors who I had the pleasure of working with last fall.  I absolutely loved being a senior in high-school.  side note: I wasn't athletic, or in the popular crowd, and I'm pretty sure the guy I liked for seven years without him even noticing (no, it was totally noticeable; I just don't think he cared).  As a senior, I felt COOL,...finally (not that those things matter in the end, buuuuut).  Your class is the at the top of the heap.  You're the oldest, wisest, most admired people in your school, AND you get to have a party.  I was very excited about my party.

I bawled during the graduation ceremony: fearing leaving behind teachers and friends that I loved.  I felt like it was all over.  And after I received my high-school diploma and turned my tassle from one side to the other, I didn't realize that another chapter of life was just beginning: and it had lots of twists and turns, more broken-hearts, unforgettable moments, good conversation, endearing friendships, and a freakin' boatload of happy memories I can pull out from time to time.

So, my dear Graduates: fantastic job on all you've conquered and look forward to having the best time with all that's to come! :)

Here are the first two graduates, Jenny and Scott, for part one of this three part installment.

Jenny, your smile is contagious.  I loved our session, and how much of YOU was planned into it: right down to the hand-picked barn and boots.  You are smart, and your future is bright~ keep smiling, girlfriend!  Good things are coming your way!

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Scott, I have been around you long enough to know what gifts you possess, dear brother-in-law.  Your theatrical performances have given me goosebumps and whether or not you actively pursue it as your career, the determination and vivacity you show in those performances will go a long way no matter what you choose to do.  I am so proud of you!

And happy weekend!  Whether you're a graduating senior or not, go make a memory!

|| albums: a no-regret investment.

Mr. UPS Man knocked on my door, and I had barely scribbled my name to accept the package before tearing into it: bubble wrap flying everywhere, order slips whipping past head, my usual sucker almost hitting the cat...until, behold: the beloved album.  I love when my clients choose to print through me.  Even more, I love when they let me design an album of their photos.



I wish, wish, wish Mr. UPS Man had more boxes of albums and pictures for me, but the albums I offer cost quite a bit more than something one can make at Snapfish or Shutterfly.  And prices for pictures can seem unjustifiable- especially in today's economy.

But, the way I see it: an album full of beautiful memories enriches our lives, strengthens our outlook, and gives a joy that lasts.

The Oxford Dictionary describes to invest in as buying a relatively expensive product whose usefulness will repay the cost.

The albums I offer are an investment.  They last.  They are made with a great deal more care: the type of printers and ink, thick and durable pages that lay-flat, and padded leather covers.  All of these elements create a longevity of memories that far outweigh the limited cost difference.







I didn't believe in these albums a year ago as I was planning my wedding.  I took our engagement disk and spent hours on Shutterfly creating an album to be signed at our wedding.  The pages that were signed bled and smeared.  And they're thing and bending a bit.  I love it, I do.  But I love it only because its an album of me and Adam.

But if I had to do it over?  I'd have ordered an album through my photographer.



Here's an example of the two: my engagement Shutterfly album on top of the album I just ordered for a client (with lay-flat pages).



Okay, the final music is starting and that's my cue to get off of my pulpit.  SO:  I'd like to thank my printer for their fabulous work and always including a sucker in my order.  Most importantly, I'd like to thank my clients for believing its worth it.  And, of course, I'd like to thank my special boudoir client who let me selectively feature her boudoir album on the blog today.  

Wednesday, today.  Phew.  Half-way there, my friends!

Old & New Dreams: Happy 100.

I didn’t always want to be behind the camera. Honestly, I wanted to be in front of it. And since my chest resembled more of a boy's than a Victoria Secret Angel, I dreamed that even modeling for JC Penney would pretty be earth shattering. Me…in print!

Summer 2008, and my mom’s friend let me borrow her Canon 20D because “I liked the way the clicker (who knew what a shutter was then?) sounds like a real camera and not my little Powershot.” Pretty soon, my girlfriend and I were in my parents’ bathroom, squishing close together so we could both fit our faces in the oval mirror to apply dramatic make-up. America’s Next Top Model: College (but-really-just-playing-dress-up) Edition.





We’d each take turns posing while the other one took the photo. I remember getting frustrated because my photos weren’t turning out how I envisioned them. I’d sigh and start commanding: Don’t put me right in the center of the photo! or Only from chest up! before quickly scurrying back into my (*ahem* much practiced) model pose—pout and all.



But I knew. I knew right then that no matter how much I wanted to be in front of the camera, I belonged behind the camera.



While I’ve switched from automatic mode (and flash—oh no) and no longer revel being in front of the camera (yikes!), I still feel a sense of belonging as I gently press my left-eye to my viewfinder and capture everyday fleeting moments, significant occasions, and simply…beauty.





Old dreams have done goneand packed their bags to let new dream move in. So while I don’t necessarily want to be featured in a JC Penney catalog as a model; YES, I’d die-and-go-to-heaven LOVE to be featured in The Knot or Martha Stewart Wedding as the photographer. ;P



Happy 100, Blog. Cheers to another 100!